Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File R. 3,631, Dowee Fonda, New York

SERVICE
New York.
Fonda, Louise
NUMBER
R 3631
CONTENTS

Dove Fandars Pension Papers Application J. Rowles Hudson agent
No 5089
09 12

State of New York
County of Columbia ss On the Eighth day of August 1832 personally appeared before the Justices of the Justices Court of the City of Hudson (now Sitting, Dowe Fonda. a. Resident of said City of Hudson, aged 79. Years, who being first duly Sworn according to Law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed June 26 1832.
That he was born on the 4 th day of October 1753 in the Town of Claverack (now City of Hudson) according to his Father's family Records which said applicant has now in his possession - That he entered the Service of the United States under the following named officers, and served as herein stated - That in the Month of January 1776 he was called upon, and entered the Service of the United States as a Militia - Drafted from the Town of Claverack aforesaid and Marched under the Command of Capt Jeremiah Miller to Johnstown on the Mohawk River and joined the Army, part of which was Commanded by Genl. Schuyler Spencer by Col. Robert Van Rensselaer, and was absent from home on this service  about one month when he returned home. And then continued in the Service by watching the Tories partly by day and partly by night during the Winter until some time in the Spring, when they were again ordered out, and said applicant was taken from the Company of said Miller and put to making Nails for the building of the Barracks at Fort Stanwix and continued in the Shop, making Nails for about two months - he was then ordered out and Marched under the Command of Capt. Abraham Fonda, of the Town of Claverack aforesaid and Marched through Albany to Half-moon point and was there about six weeks, then returned to Claverack for the purpose of watching the Tories & Robbers, and stayed some time, does not recollect how long but thinks it was the following June 1777 when he was again ordered out and Marched under the Command of Capt. Jeremiah Miller and went to Fort Edwards and joined the Army Commanded by Genl. Schuyler and continued in the Service there and at Still Water and Van Schaick's Islands until about the tenth of October, when he was ordered back to Claverack, and proceeded immediately on to the South under Capt. Miller and joined that portion of the Army which was under the Command of Genl. Putnam, near the Residence of Robert Livingston, and soon as the news came down of the Surren

-der of Genl. Burgayn. he then Returned home to Claverack and Continued in the united States Service, by watching and hunting the Robbers and Tories in the Town of Claverack & the adjoining Towns at different places throughout this Season and the next, following and as long as the Robbers and Tories infested that Section of the Country. Said applicant has no Documentary evidence of his Services therefore must rely upon the testimony of his neighbors, one only that knows of his personal Services, that is Anthony Van Braeck. who was with him during part of the above mentioned Services. Also his acquaintance with Jacob Epelstyn who is a neighbor of his and will testify as to his veracity, he is well known to many others who will testify to the same as to truth and veracity & their belief of his Services as above stated (viz) Joseph Dellonell. Sgt. James Rowley. Stephen Miller &c. He hereby relinquishes every Claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present. and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State. and that he has ever since Resided in said Town of Claverack. Sworn to and subscribed the Dowen Town day and year aforesaid -
Hiram Wilson. Clerk
We Jacob Epelstyn & Anthony Van Braeck both Residing in the town of Claverack in the County of Columbia, hereby Certify that we are well acquainted Dowe Fonda who has subscribed, and sworn to the above declaration; That we believe him to be 79 Years of age; That he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a Soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion - and I the said Anthony Van Braeck do further Certify and declare that I am 73 years of age and have always Resided in the Town of Claverack, and that I was in the army of the Revolution and Saw the said Dowe Fonda there performing Military Duty - and I the said Jacob Epelstyn do further Certify that I am 70 Years of Age - and have always lived in the Town of Claverack aforesaid and performed Military Duty in the army of the Revolution and that I was during the war several times informed that the said Dowe Fonda was called out with the Militia and did perform Military duty.
Anthony Van Braeck
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid Hiram Wilson Clerk
Jacob Epelstyn

I Richard Sluyter Clergymen Residing in the Town of Claverack in the County of Columbia. Hereby Certify that I am well acquainted with David Hondz who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration. That I belie- ve him to be 80 years of age; That he is Reputed & believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a Soldier of the Revolution & that I concur in that opinion.

was born in the town of Claverack County of Columbia State of New York in the Year 1753.
age Recorded in my Family Bible
Lived in the town of Claverack when Called into the Service & have ever Since resided in Said town of Claverack was Drafted - Never Received any Discharge from the Service
Persons can testify as to my veracity in my neighborhood
Joseph D. Marnell Esq. Clerk of the County of Columbia.
James Rowley, Stephen Miller Jacob Epelstynne. Anthony Ten-
Breakey & Co. to you acknowledged the day and year aforesaid Hiram Wilbur, Clerk
Dow Fonda
And the said court do hereby declare their opinion after investigating the matter and after hearing the interrogatories presented by the war department that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary soldier and served as he states in the County further Certifying that it appears to them that Anthony Yn Brick & Jacob Epelstynne who have sig- ned the foregoing Certificates are Residents in the Town of Claverack and that they are credible persons and their statements entitled to credit.
McCagg
Wm R Macy
Justices
I Hiram Wilbur Clerk of the Justice Court in the City of Hudson do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the Original proceedings in the matter of the application of Dow Fonda for a pension - In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of my office this eighth day of Aug 1832
Hiram Wilbur, Clerk

21441
Dowee Fonda Columbia county New York
c. b.
J. D. Parker Esq Hudson New York

WAR DEPARTMENT,
Pension Office,
Sir:
The evidence in support of your claim, under the act of June 7, 1832, has been examined, and the papers are herewith returned. The following is a statement of your case in a tabular form. On comparing these papers with the following rules, and the subjjoined notes, you will readily perceive that objections exist, which must be removed, before a pension can be allowed. The notes and the regulations will shew what is necessary to be done. Those points to which your attention is more particularly directed, you will find marked in the margin with a brace, (thus: { ). You will, when you return your papers to this Department, send this printed letter with them; and you will, by complying with this request, greatly facilitate the investigation of your claim.
A Statement, shewing the Service of Douve Fonda, Columbia county New York
   Period when the service was rendered. Duration of the claimant's service. Rank of the claimant. Names and Rank of the Company officers under whom he served. Names and Rank of the General and Field officers. Battles in which the applicant was engaged. Country through which he marched. Place of abode when he entered the service, and age at the present period. Evidence by which the declaration is supported.   Years. Months. Days.     Volunteer 1776 10 15 private Capt. Miller Capt. Fonda Col. Van Rensselaer Schenectady Albany Cahnawaga Greenbush Halfmoon tradition   do 1777 18 more Capt. Doty Capt. Miller Capt. Parvin Capt. Fonda  
I am, respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
J. L. EDWARDS, Commissioner of Pensions.

REGULATIONS UNDER THE ACT OF JUNE 7, 1832.
The following regulations have been adopted:
This law has been construed to extend, as well to the line, as to every branch of the Staff of the Army, and to include under the terms "Continental Line," "State troops," "militia," and "volunteers," all persons enlisted, drafted, or who volunteered and who were bound to military service, but not those who were occasionally employed with the army upon civil contracts, such as Clerks to Commissaries and to Store Keepers, &c. Teamsters, Boatmen, &c. Persons who served on board of Private Armed Vessels are also excluded from the benefits of the law, as well as persons who turned out as patrols, or were engaged in guarding particular places at night, and were not recognized as being in actual military service.
Four general classes of cases are embraced in this law:
 1. The Regular Troops.  2. The State Troops, Militia, and Volunteers.  3. Persons employed in the Naval service.  4. Indian Spies. 
As rolls of the regular troops in the Revolutionary War exist in this Department, all persons, claiming the benefit of this law as officers, non-commissioned officers, musicians or privates, will in the first instance, make application by transmitting the following declaration, which will be made before a Court of Record of the County where such applicant resides. And every Court having by law a seal and Clerk is considered a Court of Record.
DECLARATION,
In order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of the 7th of June, 1832.
State, Territory, or District of } ss. County of }
On this day of personally appeared (a) before A. B. a resident (b) of in the county of and State, Territory or District of aged (c) years, who being first duly sworn, according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress, passed June 7th, 1832. That he enlisted in the Army of the United States in the year (d) , with and served in the (e) regiment of the line, under the following named officers:
[Here set forth the names and rank of the Field and Company Officers; the time he left the service; (and if he served under more than one term of enlistment, he must specify the particular period, and rank and names of his officers;) the town or county and State in which he resided when he entered the service; the battles, if any, in which he was engaged, and the country through which he marched. [This form is to be varied so as to apply to the cases of officers and persons who belonged to the militia, volunteers, navy, &c.]
He hereby relinquishes every claim (f) whatever to a pension or an annuity, except the present, and he declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any Agency in any State, or (if any) only on that of the Agency in the State of
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
A. B.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion (g) that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier, and served as he states.
I of the Court of do hereby certify (h) that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office (i) this day of &c.
If, on examination of the proper record the names of applicants, making such declaration, cannot be found, they will produce such proof as the rule given in note (j) points out.
Every applicant who claims a pension by virtue of service in the State Troops, Volunteers or Militia, except those who belonged to the New Hampshire Militia and State Troops of Virginia, will make and subscribe a declaration similar to the foregoing, with the following additions, viz:
(k) We, A. B., a Clergyman, residing in the and C. D. residing in (the same) hereby certify, that we are well acquainted with , who has subscribed and sworn to the above declaration; that we believe him to be years of age; that he is reputed and believed, in the neighborhood where he resides, to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.
Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
[And then will follow the certificate of the Court.]
And the said Court do hereby declare their opinion, after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier, and served as he states. And the Court further certifies, that it appears to them that A. B.
who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident in the and that C. D., who has also signed the same is a resident in the and is a credible person, and that their statement is entitled to credit.
I, Clerk of the Court of do hereby certify that the foregoing contains the original proceedings of the said Court, in the matter of the application of for a pension.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal of office, this day of &c.
Every applicant will produce the best proof in his power. This is the original discharge or commission; but if neither of these can be obtained, the party will so state under oath, and will then procure, if possible, the testimony of at least one credible witness, stating in detail his personal knowledge of the services of the applicant, and such circumstances connected therewith, as may have a tendency to throw light upon the transaction.
If such surviving witness cannot be found, the applicant will so state in his declaration (l) and he will also, whether he produce such evidence or not, proceed to relate all the material facts, which can be useful in the investigation of his claim, and in the comparison of his narrative with the events of the period of his alleged service, as they are known at the Department. A very full account of the services of each person

will be indispensable to a favorable action upon his case. The facts stated will afford one of the principal means of corroborating the declaration of the applicant, if true, or of detecting the imposition, if one be attempted; and unless, therefore, these are amply and clearly set forth, no favorable decision can be expected. All applicants will appear before some Court of Record in the County, in which they reside, and there subscribe and be sworn to, one of the declarations above provided, according to the nature of his case.
The Court will propound the following (m) interrogatories to all applicants for a pension, on account of service in the Militia, State troops, or Volunteers, except the Militia of New Hampshire and the State troops of Virginia.
 1. Where and in what year were you born?  2. Have you any record of your age, and if so, where is it?  3. Where were you living when called into service; where have you lived since the Revolutionary war, and where do you now live?  4. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute? And if a substitute, for whom?  5. State the names of some of the Regular Officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such Continental and Militia Regiments as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your services.  6. { To a Soldier. { Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so, by whom was it given and what has become of it? { To an Officer. { Did you ever receive a commission, and if so, by whom was it signed, and what has become of it? 
7. State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the Revolution.
The Court will see that the answers to these questions are embodied in the declaration, and they are requested to annex their opinions of the truth of the statement of the applicant.
The applicant will further produce in Court, if the same can be done, in the opinion of the Court, without too much expense and inconvenience to him, two respectable persons—one of whom should be the nearest clergyman, if one lives in the immediate vicinity of such applicant, who can testify, from their acquaintance with him, that they believe he is of the age he represents, and that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood to have been a Revolutionary soldier, and that they concur in that opinion. If one of these persons is a Clergyman, the Court will so certify, and they will also certify, to the character and standing of other persons, giving such certificates.
The traditional evidence of service is deemed very important, in the absence of any direct proof, except the declaration of the party. And the Courts are requested to be very particular in the enquiry whether the belief is general, and whether any doubts have ever existed upon the subject.
Applicants unable to appear in Court by reason of bodily infirmity, may make the declaration before required, and submit to the examination, before a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record of the proper county, and the Judge or Justice will execute the duties, which the Court is herein requested to perform, and will also certify that the applicant cannot, from bodily infirmity, attend the Court.
Whenever any official act is required to be done by a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or by a Justice of the peace, the certificate of the Secretary of State or Territory, or of the proper Clerk of the Court or County, under his seal of office, will be annexed, stating that such person is a Judge or Justice of a Court of Record, or a Justice of the Peace, and that the signature annexed is his genuine signature.
No payments can be made on account of the services of any person, who may have died before the taking effect of the act of June 7, 1832; and in case of death subsequent thereto, and before the declaration herein required is made, the parties interested will transmit such evidence as they can procure, taken and authenticated before a Court of Record, showing the services of the deceased, the period of his death, the opinion of the neighborhood respecting such services, the title of the claimant, and the opinion of the Court upon the whole matter.
[a] The declarant must appear in open Court, unless prevented from doing so by reason of bodily infirmity; in which case the declarant will follow the rule laid down for his guidance.
[b] The declarant must make his declaration in the county where he resides. If he should fail to do so, he must assign a sufficient reason for not conforming to the rule.
[c] The age of the claimant must invariably be mentioned.
[d] The declarant must mention the period or periods of the war when he served.
[e] Every continental officer or soldier must give the name of the Colonel under whom he served; otherwise a satisfactory examination of the claim cannot be had. Every claimant must state, with precision, the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the Department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c., A. B. who, being duly sworn, deponeth and saith, that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service; but, according to the best of his recollection, he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades:—For _____ year _____ months, and _____ days, I served as a _____ For _____ months and _____ days, I served as a _____; and for such service I claim a pension."
It is important, in all cases, to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase about three or four months , is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. Some persons who apply for pensions merely state that they served two years in the militia, &c. without specifying the tours, the names of the officers, and other particulars respecting their service. This form of a declaration is highly objectionable. It must, in every case, be clearly shown under what officers the applicant served; the duration of each term of engagement; the particular place or places where the service was performed; that the applicant served with an embodied corps called into service by competent authority; that he was either in the field or in garrison; and for the time during which the service was performed, he was not employed in any civil pursuit.
[f] The law makes the relinquishment indispensable.
[g] The opinion of the Court is always required.
[h] The Clerk must give his certificate in every case.
[i] The Clerk must affix his seal, and if it has no device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal, or if he has no public seal of office, the certificate of a Member of Congress, proving the official character and signature of the certifying officer, should accompany the papers.
Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other papers authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
Proof of Service.
[j] In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimant's entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of the witnesses, and the official character and signature of the magistrate must be certified by the proper officer, under his seal of office.
[k] The notes from [a] to [i] are all equally applicable to the cases of Militia men, Volunteers and State Troops. The proof required by rule in note [j] applies to continental troops only.
[l] This traditional evidence is indispensable in militia cases.
[m] If a witness cannot be found, the declarant must state the fact.
[n] The answers to the interrogatories must all be written, and sent to the War Department, with the declaration.

Rev.
Act 7. June 1832
Dowee Fonda
Surfounded
See letter to
James Rowley Hudson N. Y.
16. Oct. 1833

N. York Dowe Fonda letter to W. H. Clarke 8 Nov. 38.
3631
Act. J. June 1832

3631.
Quar
P. O.
Dowe Fonda
Service: _____
REJECTED
Enlisted: _____, 18
Discharged: _____, 18
Application filed: _____, 18
Alleges: _____
Re-enlisted: _____
Attorney: _____
P. O. _____
_____ Recognized.
_____ Contra
_____ Cert. of Dis.
Searched for _____
, 18

Application of Dowee Honda.
Pat. Rec. Dept. Human
2144

State of New York } Columbia County } ss On the Seventeenth day of December 1832 personally appeared before the Justices of the Justice Court of the City of Hudson.
(now sitting) Dowe Fonda. A President of the said City of Hudson aged 80 years last October - who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the Act of Congress passed June 7 th 1832.
That he was born on the 4 th day of October 1752, in the town of Claverack (now City of Hudson), according to his Father's family Records which said applicant has now in his possession. That he entered the Service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated -
That on the fifteenth day of January 1776, said Applicant volunteered & joined A Company Commanded by Capt. Jeremiah Miller, and marched immediately from the said town of Claverack to Albany, and so on to Schenectady, and from thence up the Mohawk River to Cohoes & then to Johnstown and joined the Army, part of which was Commanded by Genl. Schuyler and part by Col. Robert Van Rensselaer, and stayed there and near that place, about one month, then was ordered back to Schenectady and so on to Albany, stayed there some time, then on to Green Bush, and continued there and at other places in Rensselaer and Columbia Counties on duty part of the time Commanded by the same Capt. Miller & some part by Col. Van Rensselaer. Lieutenant J. Miller resigned his commission until some time in October, when he marched under the Command of Capt. Abraham Fonda, and March through Albany from Green Bush, and so on up to Half-moon point and stayed there and near that place until the first of December, when said applicant was verbally discharged. Making in all, from the time he entered the Service until discharged Ten months and a half. Then said Applicant Returned home to the town of Claverack aforesaid - and stayed until the first day of April 1777, when he again entered the Service as a volunteer under the Command of Capt. John Osterhout of the town of Claverack and continued under his Command until the following June, when he was put into the Company of Capt. J. Miller and went from Albany to Half-moon point & so on up to Fort Edward and joined that portion of the Army Commanded by Genl. Schuyler and continued there and at Still-water, and at Van Schaacks Island, until the tenth of October (1777). When he and many others were marched back through Albany, Kinderhook, Claverack, and so on to a place called the Stockbridge near the Residence of Robert Livingston Esq. and there joined that portion of the Army which was Commanded by Genl. Putnam. And as soon as the news came down, of the surrender of Genl.

Burgoyne then Returned to the town of Claverack and there joined A. Company Commanded by Capt. Carrine. and attached under him & Continued under him, Some time does not recollect how long, but he was constantly doing Military duty under said Colonel Honda Miller - and others (officers) performing Military Services for not less than one year (but more) after the Surrender of Genl. Burgoyne, in the Counties of Columbia & Rensselaer. Said Applicant has been a Resident of the Town of Claverack, and City of Hudson ever since the Revolution. Said Applicant has no Documentary evidence of his Services, or written discharge, therefore must rely upon the testimony of his neighbors - That he knows of but one living Witness who can testify, or know of his Rendering of the above mentioned Services that is Stephen Miller (Merchant) of Claverack - who was with him in the same Regiment during part of the above mentioned time performing Military duty. He will name many, all or any of them who will testify as to his statement, being entitled to Credit as being a man of truth & veracity, and the general belief in his neighborhood of his Revolutionary Services - John I Miller first Judge of Said County of Columbia, Joseph D. Merrill Clerk of Said County, William B. Lockwood - John Gault - Aaron Gifford, John M. Shoemaker Stephen Race Richard Sluyter Clergymen, and Robert H. Van Rensselaer Esq. of Claverack. He hereby Relinquishes every Claim whatever to a pension or annuity, except the present, and declares that his name is not on the Pension roll of the agency of any State. — Dower Treadon Sworn to and subscribed } the 17 th day of December 1832 } in Court.
We Stephen Miller, Merchant of Claverack, and Richard Sluyter Clergymen also —
Residing in the town of Claverack in the County of Columbia hereby Certify that we have been well acquainted with Dower Honda, who has for many years subscribed, and Sworn to the above declaration . That we believe him to have been Eighty Years old last October; That he is reputed and believed in the Neighborhood where he resides to have been a Soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion.

And I the Said Stephen Miller do further Certify that I am 76 Years of age and have Resided in the town of Claverack for the Space of in all my life 76 Years since that I was in the army of the Revolution as is stated by Said Dowe Fonda but do not Recollect of Seeing him there although I have no hesitation in believing that he was there as he states above
And I the Said Richard Sluyter Clergyman do further Certify that the Said Dowe Fonda has been a Member of my Church in the town of Claverack for the Space of Six years past and his Statement is entitled to Credit
Sworn & Subscribed this 27 th December 1832 J. M c Cagg on of the Justices
Richard Sluyter V.D.M. Stephen Miller
And the Said Court do hereby declare their opinion after investigating the Matter and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War depart- ment that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier and Served as he states. And the Court further Certifies that it appears to them that Stephen Miller is a Merchant & Resides in the Town of Claverack & Man of the first Respectability, and that Richard Sluyter is a Clergyman, a Resident of the town of Claverack, and well known to this Court to be a settled Clergyman of that place, and his Statement entitled to Credit
J. M c Cagg } Justices of Wm R May } the Justices } Court of } Hudson
I John D. Parker Clerk of the Justices Court in the City of Hudson do hereby Certify that the foregoing contains the Original proceedings of said Court, in the Matter of the application of Dowe Fonda for a Pension. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set My hand & the Seal of My office this twenty eight day of December 1832
J. D. Parker Clk

Chf. Mails. N.O.
J. L.
STEAM BOAT
Alvah. Commissioner of Pensions
By
Washington - War Department

May 10. Chas. [unclear]
Hon.
J. L.
STEAM BOAT
Edwards.
[Signature]
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington - War Department.

Dorsey Fonda - The within named applicant is no more he died on the 18 th day of December last the next day after making the within Statement or application - Therefore it cannot be amended, or altered by him, he was a very Poor, Old Man, but honest, he left an Old Widow, who is also Poor - Now if the Statement made by him, in support of his Claim, is such as to satisfy the Secretary, of 8 yrs , to what term of service he is entitled so as to receive a Pension. That the benefit of the widow that sum will be extremely acceptable to her - I wrote the Declaration, or Statement made by him, as nearly as I could from his words, as related to me, by him & from his old age and the consequent loss of memory, he could not swear more positively than he did - I intended to give his Statement so clearly - and with that precision, from him, as to enable the Secretary today, to what time, of sum, he was entitled - without being again returned for amending, as they were once sent back to be amended. and I supposed these objections entirely removed, in making out these papers altogether new., the objections here, one, the Certificate of the Certifying officer, is on the same sheet of paper, as you will perceive, on examination. as to the precise period stated by him, it appears to me they are clearly sufficient to entitle him to the full pay, that in 1776 - time 10. 15. - and I distinctly understood, Said Dorsey Fonda to say, that he was constantly in the service of the United States performing Military Service. from the first of April (1777) until the surrender of General Burgoyne - and so continued on for not less than one year after such surrender, (but more), he said he knew it was more than one year after the taking of Burgoyne, that he did military duty, but how much more, he would not, or could not swear, it was so long that he could not remember, all every time, term of service set forth in his Declaration was in the service of the United States, on his own account, and not employed in any civil pursuit, by calculations made by me, for him, in his presence, and at his request, amounted to not less than two years & one half - in 36. then said he knew that he served more time than that, but how much could not say with certainty - Yours Obediently - James Rawley. Hudson June 1 st 1833.

NY Nov 3
J. P. Kennedy Esq.
Union Office
Commission of Kinross Washington.

Nov. 3
N.Y.
Pension Office
J. L. Edwards Esq.
Commission of Pensions Washington.

Sir,
Enclosed is the original paper heretofore sent to your Department by James Rowley Esq for said Dowe Fonda. For certain reasons no pension was allowed him, the reasons I believe was want of sufficient proof. His widow in an act of 9th July 1838 is entitled to a Pension if her late husband's services can be established. She has applied to me to see what can be done. She has no further proof of her late husband's service and no more can be obtained. She is poor & unable to pay expenses & wishes me to advance money to court fees, this I am unwilling to do.
If the Pay Rolls afford sufficient evidence with the enclosed statement to entitle her to a Pension you are requested to let me know it & file the statement or send it back to me.
Respectfully yours W. H. Clarke,
J. L. Edwards Esq,
Hudson New York Oct 29. 1838.
PS If your pay Rolls contain evidence of service in watching Robbers & Tories I can furnish evidence of it, being done by a Military commission and yrs W. H. C.